Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Hartford (VT); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA White River Junction Healthcare System in White River Junction, Vermont seeks a Nursing Assistant for Nursing, Ambulatory Care services. Applicants pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected.

GS-03 to GS-05 vacancies with progression from entry level to full performance. Must meet basic requirements including citizenship, experience or education, and English proficiency.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or education in nursing-related fields.
• One year of education above high school with nursing-related courses.
• Completion of an intensive, occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant.

Skills

Patient care

Communication with patients

Observation of patient status

Equipment operation

Education

Two years of college education related to nursing care

Bachelor's degree with health care courses

Tools

Bladder scan

Blood glucose monitor

Continuous passive motion device

Job description

This Nursing Assistant position is within Nursing, Ambulatory Care services at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located in White River Junction, Vermont Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience or Education or Training:
  • Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant; OR,
  • One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR,
  • Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-03.
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

Grade Determinations

GS-03 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level)

Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 Nursing Assistant

Experience: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician hospital corpsman, etc.), performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments; OR,

Education: Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians;

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-05 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level)

Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. OR,

Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree;

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital, long-term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
• Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.

Preferred Experience: 2-4 years of Outpatient Experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.

Physical Requirements: The work requires the Nursing Assistant to be mobile throughout the Medical Center as needed, involving standing, walking, bending, pushing and lifting (moderate-heavy). The Nursing Assistant should be capable of prolonged standing/walking and be physically capable of pushing equipment.